Carton for Cupholder

ABSTRACT

A carton with a hole through top and bottom panels intended to receive a plurality of cups. A carton that fits on top of a plurality of cups. Fits inside of most cupholders. Carton uses a plurality of cups creating a supportive structure. A carton has trays to hold objects. A carton that swivels 360 degrees around the base cup. A carton formed of a unitary sheet of blank material. Carton comprises plurality of panels comprised of bottom panel, top panel and four side panels that define cavities. Two generally rectangular, opposed first and second side wall are connected to the remaining opposed edges of the bottom panels and project upward therefrom. Each front and rear wall is connected at one of its edges to one of two opposed edges of the bottom panels and projects upward therefrom. A different embodiment could comprise long narrow spaces for holding narrow objects.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent 63/297,871, 63/300,872

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to food cartons, particularly folded food cartons formed as a unitary carton blank into an economical, reusable carton appropriate for temporary storage of food or other items in most cupholders.

2. Background Art

With today's busy lifestyle and the popularity of fast food, a lot of people consume meals while in their vehicle. Today, most fast food consumed in vehicles is eaten out of a paper bag. A bag with multiple containers inside of it is distracting and makes it difficult for drivers to easily and safely consume food while in a vehicle. This has created a need for a safer and more convenient way to eat or hold other items in a cupholder while in your vehicle. This invention addresses that issue. This invention creates space. This invention is intended to hold items, promoting less distracted driving and allowing food or other items to be stored conveniently and close at hand. The main use of this carton is to provide a space to hold items that fit inside of it. This carton provides a more convenient way to hold multiple items. The carton is created by using dye cutting tools or any other cutting tool. The carton is produced in a flat horizontal form then further folded by the manufacturer into a partially assembled carton. Within seconds, a person can easily fold the carton into an assembled form with their hands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable carton comprising a bottom panel, a top panel and four side panels. When the carton is fully assembled it creates spaces for receiving items. A first embodiment would comprise spaces for receiving items. A second embodiment would comprise more spaces for receiving items. Another alternative embodiment would be using a plurality of adhesives instead of locking tabs. In the center of the carton there is a hole cut through the top and bottom panels intended to receive cups from the top and bottom. The edges of the top and bottom center hole are perforated to allow for more flexibility of different sized cups to be inserted into the holes. The cup inserted into the bottom panel hole fits most size cups. The cup inserted into the bottom panel serves as the support of the carton while carton is used in a cupholder. The carton can swivel 360 degrees while on top of the cup depending on the cupholder. A separate cup used as a drinking vessel can be inserted into the base cup. The carton is configured as a flat stack. The carton is collapsible in such a manner that it can form a flat stack of panels. It is relatively compact and allows for easy storage. The carton comes from the manufacturer partially assembled using the locking mechanisms or an adhesive. The collapsible carton has locking elements in its bottom panel and side panels that can temporarily connect adjacent sides including the bottom and sides of the carton to one another. The foldable carton is made from a unitary sheet of material, generally in a rectangular shape bound by four edges. A user can latch and unlatch the locking elements with his or her hand to fold and unfold the carton. When the collapsible carton is configured it can be sturdy, strong and stable, making it suitable to hold objects. The foldable carton could be a replacement for the paper bag while consuming food or for holding other items in a vehicle or elsewhere. The foldable carton can be recyclable, economical, and reusable. The foldable carton can be assembled and used in seconds. The carton can be used with most size cups and most size cupholders. The carton can be used in most cupholders including vehicles, stadiums, tailgating chairs, sports practice arenas, or any other place that offers a cupholder. The carton is intended to hold items that fit inside of it. The alternative embodiment for holding more items would be comprised of additional trays that are long narrow spaces for holding narrow objects such a cell phones, eyeglasses or food dippers such as ketchup at either the front or back side of the carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 5 is a back side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 8 is a top plan perspective view of the unassembled carton with front side locking tabs and back side locking slits for tabs thereof;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the carton partially assembled thereof;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the carton partially assembled and folded flat thereof;

FIG. 11 is another embodiment and is a top plan perspective view of the carton without locking tabs unassembled thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top plan perspective view of the carton is a second embodiment assembled thereof;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the carton assembled thereof;

FIG. 14 is bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the carton assembled thereof;

FIG. 15 is a front side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 16 is a back side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 17 is a right side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 18 is a left side view of the assembled carton thereof;

FIG. 8 is a top plan perspective view of the second embodiment of the carton with front side locking tabs and backside locking slits for tabs unassembled thereof;

FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the second embodiment of the carton partially assembled thereof;

FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the second embodiment of the carton partially assembled and folded flat thereof;

FIG. 22 is a top plan perspective view of the second embodiment of the carton without locking tabs completely unassembled thereof;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled carton thereof; formed of a unitary sheet of material, has two opposing front, and rear walls (1,11), two opposing side walls in assembled position (2), two opposing top and bottom walls (3,6); FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembled carton thereof; showing top of carton with top hole and two trays cut into the top panel of the carton (3,8,6) base is solid singular sheet locked into place with side wall flaps (2,3,8,6), top hole with perforations (7,4), bottom hole with perforations (8,9), tray wall tabs locked in slits (10)and tray base (6); FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembled carton thereof; showing bottom of carton (6), bottom hole with perforations (8,9), locking tab slits(10); FIG. 4 is a front side view of the assembled carton thereof (1); FIG. 5 is a back side view of the assembled carton thereof (11); FIG. 6 is a right side view of the assembled carton thereof (2); FIG. 7 is a left side view of the assembled carton thereof (12); FIG. 8 is a top plan perspective view of the unassembled carton formed of a unitary sheet of material includes top panel (3), bottom panel (6), front panel (1), rear panel with tabs (13,14) that overlap panel (11) with slits (10) for tab to lock into (13) creating a double layered wall, top hole with perforations (7,4) for accepting a cup, bottom hole with perforations (8,9) for accepting a cup, with tray wall locking tabs and tab slits in unlocked position (5,10) that when assembled create the tray walls, sidewall folding tabs unassembled (2,12) that when assembled create the side wall of the carton; FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the carton partially assembled thereof; includes top panel (3), bottom panel (6), front panel comprising folding tabs (1,12) that when folded inward create a latch to folding sidewalls (2) creating a contiguous wall, a rear panel comprised of overlapping panels (11,14) top hole with perforations (7,4), partial view of bottom hole with perforations (8,9), tray wall panels that when assembled in locked position create walls for the trays (5); FIG. 10 is another perspective view same as FIG. 9 of carton partially assembled the same way as FIG. 9 , showing fold marks at base of front wall (1) that when folded allow the box to be made flat laying on top of base (6); FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment, a top plan perspective view of the carton without locking tabs on rear wall (14), unassembled thereof; this carton can be partially assembled by the manufacturer using a plurality of adhesives to create the rear walls (11,14); FIG. 12 is a second embodiment, a top plan perspective view of the assembled carton with additional trays comprising long narrow spaces for holding narrow objects (16); FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the assembled second embodiment carton thereof; showing top of carton with top hole and four trays cut into the top panel of the carton (3,8,6), top hole with perforations (7,4), bottom hole with perforations (8,9), tray wall tabs locked in slits (10) and tray base being a solid singular sheet locked into place with side wall flaps (2); FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the assembled second embodiment carton thereof; showing bottom of carton (6), bottom hole with perforations (8,9), locking tab slits (10); sidewalls locked into place creating a solid sturdy carton (2); FIG. 15 is a front side view of the assembled second embodiment carton thereof (1), side walls folded into locked position (2,12); FIG. 16 is a back side view of the assembled second embodiment carton thereof (11), sidewall folded into locked position (2,12), and back walls overlapped and locked into place with tabs (11,14,15); FIG. 17 is a is a right side view of the assembled second embodiment carton thereof (2,12); FIG. 18 is a left side view of the assembled second embodiment carton thereof (2,12); FIG. 19 is a top plan perspective view of the unassembled second embodiment carton formed of a unitary sheet of material includes top panel (3), bottom panel (6), front panel (1), rear panel with tabs (11,14,13,15), top hole with perforations (7,4), bottom hole with perforations (8,9) tray wall locking tabs and tab slits in unlocked position (5,10), sidewall folding tabs unassembled (2,12); two long narrow trays cut in to top panel (16,3); FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the second embodiment of carton partially assembled thereof; includes top panel (3), bottom panel (6), front panel comprising folding tabs (1,12) that when folded inward create a latch to folding sidewalls (2) creating a contiguous wall, a rear panel comprised of overlapping panels (11,14) top hole with perforations (7,4), partial view of bottom hole with perforations (8,9), tray wall panels that when assembled in locked position create walls for the trays (5); two long narrow trays cut into top panel (16,3); FIG. 21 is another perspective view same as FIG. 20 of second embodiment carton partially assembled the same way as FIG. 20 , showing fold marks at base of front wall (1) that when folded allow the box to be made flat laying on top of base (6); FIG. 22 is an alternative embodiment, a top plan perspective view of the second embodiment carton without locking tabs on rear wall (14), unassembled thereof; this carton can be partially assembled by the manufacturer using a plurality of adhesives to create the rear walls (11,14); 

I claim:
 1. A structure for forming a carton comprising; A bottom panel being generally rectangular and having four corners, said bottom panel and top panel lying parallel and opposed to each other; a pair of generally rectangular, opposed front wall and rear wall connecting opposed edges of the bottom panel at fold lines to form a collapsible tube of generally rectangular cross-section with a pair of closed ends when assembled; a pair of generally rectangular, opposed first side wall and second side wall, both such being connected at fold lines to an edge of said bottom panel at each side of the closed ends of said tube.
 2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; said top panel comprises a hole cut into it with edges of said hole that are perforated.
 3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; said top panel comprises a hole for receiving a cup or any other structure that fits into it for a user to hold items including another cup.
 4. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; said bottom panel comprises a hole cut into it with edges of said hole that are perforated.
 5. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; said bottom panel comprises a hole for receiving a cup or any other structure that fits into the hole.
 6. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; when carton is assembled, the top panel hole is directly above bottom panel hole creating a hole all the way through said top and bottom panels.
 7. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; allowing a cup to be inserted through the top hole sliding into the bottom cup, creating a cup inside of a cup effect.
 8. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; when carton has cup inserted into the bottom hole, it could turn 360 degrees.
 9. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; said top panel comprises a plurality of holes cut into it creating trays for holding items.
 10. The structure according to claim 1 wherein; said carton when partially assembled uses locking tabs and/or adhesives to connect top, bottom, front rear and sidewall panels to one another. 